|
Between · the · Lines
The General Everyday Ramblings Events of Linsey "Chris" Martin
 |
|
( Rant about TASC, Veteran Programs, and ACLU )
On a good note: We may have a payee program to replace the one that’s being cut. Phew. But we’re hoping there won’t be a gap between one program letting go and the other picking up.
And I just got out of covering case conference. Woot. Had a good break for five days, but its over. Sad. Now for painting tonight while Tanner is at rehearsal.
Meaningful Phrase: "I was By Myself once." -Jason
Current Location: |
My office |
Current Mood: |
 aggravated |
Current Music: |
Humm of fan. When did it get hot in here? | |
|
|
I went to the doctor yesterday. I make appointments every 6 months right now, so I forget by the time the automatted system calls me. I was able to scrounge up my new insurance card. I changed to VIA access because my doctor takes it, it’s the same co-pay, andis about $120 less per month. We could get Tanner insurance for that extra! But we’re going to wait until he gets settled in a job to decide on who will cover him. Anyways, Doc is always running late, so I have no idea why I showed up early. During my interview with Dad, we talked about how doctors are in and out, unlike counselors. Ivker isn’t like that. He checks and double checks that everything is covered and talked about before he ever leaves the room. He takes time to understand and hear all the elements involved when you do have a problem. And he’s just a nice guy (and not too hard on the eyes either). But, he’s a good doc. My parents recently started seeing him too when their doctor retired (from the same office). So, when Ivker asked me about my family’s history of cholesterol, we just looked it up. I need to get a fasting test done in about three years, but no emergency since I’m in good health and have perfect blood pressure. I’m still having some swelling in my left leg, but its gotten better and should get a lot better with better exercise and diet. The notable change is that we agreed, since the propranolol was such a low dose and it was helping, that I take it twice a day to help with anxiety. I think it’s the edge I need since I don’t need the Trazadone to go to sleep, just keep my brain shut up so I can stay asleep. I also got a rescue inhaler. Good ol’ Ventilin. Lastly, its time I got a GYN instead of just using my primary doc. *sigh* Now, if I can just stick to fruits, low sodium foods and get some exercise, I’ll be in perfect shape. The closet doesn’t seem as full today. Meaningful Phrase: "Damn, there's dead musicians everywhere. Its a Post Minstrel Syndrome!"
Current Location: |
My Office |
Current Mood: |
 relieved |
Current Music: |
Hummmmmmmmmmmmm | |
|
|
My world seems to be saturated lately. ( My Mental Health is blarrrgggh. )Life events help. Gaming has always helped. When my mind starts racing, thinking over each heavy thing that’s falling out of that closet, I can just refocus (especially lately) and think about what Morgan is going to do when she gets to Mordent to explain why she’s still a werewolf. I can think about Dr. Laura Dantzler’s tactics to set up the clinic and still appease the supernatural council. I can ponder over the political tactics to get the armies to meet with my psionic elf to talk peace. I can even think about books I’m reading. Planning events is good too. Tanner’s belated, super surprise, toga costume theme, murder mystery scavenger hunt Birthday party was awesome. Not everyone came, but I’m kinda glad. We had a house full, just enough food, and a lot of fun. Tanner was totally surprised. He knew something was up, but this wasn’t what it might be. He almost ruined the scavenger hunt part by doing it early, but the guys (Chris and Jason) were able to help us keep tabs on his and keep him busy. In the end, while that might have been part of his suspicion, it was a perfect way to celebrate him turning 30, in a video game like scenario. Up until Monday night, school had been going well. I’d interviewed my dad and wrote a paper on that. I almost missed writing a paper about Meza, a coworker, but got that done barely on time. But, when I got to class, my prof, even after I asked her who I shouldn’t interview, wants me to redo my interview and first paper with someone other than my dad. I was hurt, very upset. Cried most of the way home. The paper was more personal that I’d realized, I guess. I didn’t do well on the exam either (I think). Plus, we’ve got this weird needs assessment to do on Mountain Brook. Thpppt. Work is good though. I’m feeling closer to my coworkers. I did a presentation to NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illnesses) on what I do. It wasn’t professionals, but consumers (people with a mental illness) or friends and family and supporters of consumers. But, over all, it was a great experience and I really wouldn’t mind doing it again. I'd volunteered to go with Harry even before an E-mail went out reminded everyone that volunteer talks were mandatory. Go me. Tuesday, march 16, if you go to California Pizza Kitchen at the Summit and bring a certain flyer, 20% of your meal goes to the Metro B’ham Services for the Homeless. Tanner and I are going to try to do dinner that night. Others should too. Meaningful Phrase: “We’re totally taking those Attacks of Opportunity.” “Yeah, this aen’t Dragonball, bitch.”
Current Location: |
my office |
Current Mood: |
 anxious | |
|
|
So, Saturday is the big day. Yea, I know that I haven't posted in a while. But we’re throwing this twomonth late surprise party. I have a TON of stuff still to do. I have shopping for food, to get party supplies, get the videos if possible, purchase garland, name tags, finish the scavenger hunt, and make sure the house is clean…. And print the last letter to Tanner from the secret society. Its going to be this surprise, Roman dinner, murder mystery costume party. Oh, that’s right, prizes too. I have one HUGE snag though. I have these awesome columns that I found for rent, roman columns. We’re going to put them either inside or in front of the house and decorate them. Problem? They are 7 feet tall. They will NOT fit in my car. And I can’t find someone on Saturday to pick them up from OZ, take them to Patricia’s, and then bring them back to my place at 4pm. Any Ideas? The beta blockers I got back in October have been working well. Just one in the morning before work keeps my brain in check. I finally ran out. And within 48 hours had an episode that meant I only got about 4 hours sleep that night. I’m having problems again with morning sickness from the stress and can’t get my brain under control. I’d hoped I could do it without the crutch, but not yet. Picking up more tonight. Tons more, but will post again. Meaningful Phrase: “Finding a good debate online is like dumpster diving." |
|
|
Chrismahanakwanziyule: People came, they saw, they left. We had family at the house on Christmas eve, we visited everyone over the weeks, from work to friends to family. People wanted to see the new house, Tanner’s mom stayed with us a few days, we bounced from one location to the next over the course of 48 hours. We were so tired by the time New Years rolled around, we were home and in bed before 1 am. There was a flurry of excitement, old friends, and good times. We really did have fun, trade gifts, eat food, and overall, have a Merry Festive Holiday. The best part and the most stressful part was the McCracken family and the Martin Family coming together. Paul, Tanner’s dad, had met my folks, but it’d been brief and where we really couldn’t talk. But, at the party, they traded traveling stories and shared some common movies and interests. So, it was the first Holiday for us really together as families. It was our first holiday in the house. And oh, it was so good. It’ll be even better next year when we have time to decorate and cook and have the house finally put together. I got a lot of tools, money, and items for the house. That’s what I wanted. Tanner’s parents got me junk food brain books (new Dragonlance novels) and Dad got me the new Hitchhiker book. Other than a sweater and some small odds and ends, it was house gifts. Oh, and I got a tree. I’m reluctant to take it down. Still. I mean, we still have the Secret Santa swap to do. I also hit a few post Christmas sales and got stuff for next, like stockings, tree toppers, and odds and ends. House: It’s got quirks. We can run the dishwasher at the same time as the washing machine unless we want a small pond in the garage. There’s some leaks and creeks and groans. I guess after the furnace, everything else seems minor. We’ve still got to finalize finances and chores. The leaves were never raked (sickness, holidays, time, etc) and we’re still not in routines for dishes and garbage and litterboxes and picking up. I think once we get the new furniture (hopefully in a week), we’ll finally be able to settle in. There’s still boxes in corners (just books and collectables), but we shoved most stuff in closets for the Holidays. Once the couches are set, we can arrange the shelves, hang the pictures, and put away the knick knacks and books. Then, it’ll be clear where everything goes. Nerd-a-tude: Kelli finally ran the module Tanner wrote for her for last Secret Santa. It was fun. Kelli was a little wobbly about some improvisation needed to run a game, but overall, she ran with it pretty well. Regardless, we liked it enough to want to play an encore game sometime. LARP is done for the season finally, we’ve gotten small steps forward in Ravenloft, and Jeff’s stuff has prevented us from Forgotten Realms. The dining room is turning out to be an alright place to game. We can seat six (we put the leaves in. Need to get a table clothe big enough) and its right next to the kitchen. Plus, if any non-gamers are there, the den is separate enough no to disturb the game. Stuff: Job is good. All of our grants were renewed, so no one should be let go. But, some days are still very stressful and my anxiety can get kinda bad. Regardless, clients are good, we’re growing, and I’ve almost got the system down. Stupidity: I woke up Monday morning around 6am to my car alarm going off. I struggle out of bed and don’t see anyone outside. I go out, reset the alarm from the front door, thinking that the frost must have set it off. When I got up an hour later and went to start it up, I found the console and glove box had been rummaged through, all the paper thrown into the floor. Apparently, we’d forgotten to lock the front door (it has to be locked manually unlike the rest of the car) when we set the alarm. So, some thief was going around Crestwood, going up people’s driveways, and checking their doors. Since ours was unlocked, they went on in, but the alarm went off, so they didn’t have time to make off with anything. I’d luckily taken any checks or cash inside and they didn’t find the hidey hole where I’d put a gift card. They weren’t sharp enough to take a bank statement and try for fraud. Also, when I’d peeked out at 6am, other’s in the neighborhood peeked out too. If you’re going to travel a neighborhood full of old people, try for 2am instead. Everyone’s up by 6:30 on our street except for us. It had me off the rest of the day, but it was good to know that we were alright. Meaningful Phrase: ”Sally, if you're going to disturb the meeting with a joke, make sure its not a lame one."
Current Location: |
My Office |
Current Mood: |
 sleepy |
Current Music: |
nada | |
|
|
I was done with this week on Tuesday. Wednesday wasn’t much better. I’m just hoping by Friday I can recover. Here’s the deal: Monday I struggle with the end of the month. Fortunately, the client who had fired me last week was hungry enough to forgive what I had never done and let me work with him again. But, the whole day was behind and off and struggles with my Axis II client. Kelli and Alex had moved in, though. We struggled with bolts that were not the right size for the TV mount we bought over the weekend. Tuesday, during the very busy, crazy work day, I get a call saying that the plumbing is wonky, causing a small lake in our garage from the washer, back flow in the tub, and unfilled toilets during the night. By the afternoon, the pressure had stabilized, but there may be need of a plumber soon to see what’s causing it. I had many problems with clients, from payee problems to check problems, to Christmas anxieties. Tanner went to rehearsal, Alex and I moved furniture for the couch, and we watched Dead Gentlemen after soft tacos. New bolts still don’t fit. There’s not a size between the bolt we already had and the one that’s too small. Wednesday was the kicker. We had a crazy day at work at the office as it’s the first of the month and everyone has Christmas checks. And there were unique situations with a few clients at the office. Well, finally, the day is over and I head to class. Only, there’s a bunch of really big rocks from some construction this past weekend. It busts one of my tires on our way. We stop and Tanner put the donut on. During this, the blinkers drain the little juice left in my battery. We put calls out to a bunch of people and Kelli and her Dad come to our rescue to jump us off and give us a ride home. Unfortunately, the futon that Kelli wanted to bring had mildew all over the pad, so they brought the couch instead. The couch wouldn’t fit through the kitchen door, so its in the middle of the garage, thus taking up the little room left in there (and it won’t fit in the studio, like we’d plan to do with the Futon once the living room suite comes in.) So we head to the mall after leaving the car with the mechanic (I had road hazard warranty on the tires) to get new tires and battery. During the day, my last good bra had broken and I needed new ones. We grabs food and headed home. Only, Alex was home early, sick enough to want to go to the doctor the next day. I missed class and I can’t find my DSM to finish my final. Tanner missed his DnD game because Kelli was really tired (and sick and had used a ton of gas already) and no one from the game would come get him. Ugh. Hopefully, car will be done by lunch today so I can get it and finish my day at work. I had to trade schedules with another case manager. *head desk* Fuck this week. Meaningful Phrase: "The four elements, like man alone, are weak. But together they form the strong fifth element: boron."
Current Location: |
My Office |
Current Mood: |
cranky |
Current Music: |
Noises of the Office | |
|
|
We’ve moved. Yep, all the big furniture was hauled to the house on Saturday. We struggled with the antique “entertainment center” and swapped beds. The guys worked so hard, heaving my insanely large dresser into the bedroom. We only had a few bangs and bumps. Thanks so much to Jeff, Jason, Shauna, Patrick, and my parents for the help. I don’t think we could have done it with even one less person. Even my sister came out to help for a few minutes. We’ve got a couple of small things at the apartment, like a curtain, a few odds and ends, and so forth. While grandpa was painting the base boards Friday, he told me that he and grandma had just bought a new living room suite. They are giving me their old one! This thing is comfy and very nice, but it just wasn’t comfortable to them. So, once the new set comes in, the old one will fill the front room and my favorite couch will end up in the den. This means there’s still moving stuff to be done and we’re not going to fully move in until then. We’ve got some of the bobbles and books tucked into a corner. The dining room table that Randy and Cindy got for me from Greg is gorgeous. It’s a William and Mary 80 year old table with six chairs. I love it. Now we just have to figure out how to protect it for another few decades of use! The furnace was replaced. Dick got it in, got a new thermostat installed, and put in a new vent that will prevent the rusting that happened to the old one. An expensive job, but better than I expected. Grandparents are helping me out with that too. Unfortunately, we’re having some breaker problems in the den and kitchen. Dick came out and replaced one or two breakers and thinks he got the problem solved. But, there are a few outlets that don’t have any power and we’re not sure why. Thanksgiving is tomorrow. I have a lot to be thankful for and am going to try and get thank you letters done up tonight. I might try to make something to take to both Tanner’s family and my family, but we’ll see. Otherwise, the football games Friday, Ravenlofty goodness on Saturday. Lots of unpacking and organizing to do and the Hovanes are moving in too. Egad. I need a vacation. Tanner’s show was hilarious. They group even got on the cover of City Scene in the Birmingham News on Friday. That just totally rocks. I’ve had a rough week at work, but today was much better. Just conflicts with co-workers. Hopefully a weekend with a little rest will help everyone.
We got a bunch of newbies at LARP. I'm talking high school teenagers newbies. Good to see new blood, but them kids got a long way to go and I think only a couple will stick around in the end. We killed the Mind Flayer in Forgotten Realms. Hurray for my character's brain freedom!
I want a tree. A Chrismahanaquanzika Tree. To put up next week. I also need a new sink. And alot of other things that are more necessary than a tree. But I really want a tree. A fake tree, though. Fake in that its not living, but real in that it would make me happy. Yea.
I'm sure there's much more, but its 4:15 on the day before a Holiday. My brain is for shit. Meaningful Phrase: “You can’t castrate cousin Rick. What if he wants chill..churll.. kids?”
Current Location: |
My office |
Current Mood: |
exhausted |
Current Music: |
Pandora | |
|
|
Walls painted in bedrooms - check Walls painted in bathrooms - check Tiles painted in master bath – check Carpet removed from floors - check Nails and staples pulled up - check Bedroom floors waxed - check Living room, hall, and studio poly’d - check Kitchen cabinets cleaned and repapered- check Patio’s pressured washed - check Dead tree cut down - check Front yard cut - check Second bath sink replaced – to be done Quarter round purchased – to be done Quarter round painted – to be done Furnace and vent installed – to be done The quarter round should be purchased and painted today by family. Dick’s been waiting on the furnace to arrive all through a beautiful last week only for it to arrive in time for the rain yesterday. Hopefully it’ll get done today. The sink can wait if need be. I was originally suppose to work Thanksgiving for annoying reasons, but Johnny came to the rescue. Regardless, we agree that moving the weekend before, on Saturday, November 21, would be for the best so we can get stuff cleaned up and ready after the move too. Tanner’s working on getting a van arranged to aid in getting it done in ONE shift, rather than the many trips it took last time. We haven’t done really any packing as there isn’t a place to store the full boxes and we couldn’t put anything at the house until the floors are done. Crossing my fingers that it all get done and goes smoothly enough. And yes, we’ll need help!! On the other side of things, we had someone come in last Friday who informed us that, due to all the cuts, there’s a chance that someone might be let go at the clinic. I doubt it’ll be us (as we’re funded through grants mainly) but we never know. As well, clients hate me right now (never for reasons of my own). And I fell in the shower Monday, busting my arm (but not broken). I think I’m paying the karmic debt of having family helping me SO much on the house. I’ll take the bruises and hardship. I couldn’t do it without them. Other stuff: Halloween came and went. The Witches ball was awesome, but we had a very quiet Samhain. I just waited for Tanner to get back from Auburn and we went out for dinner, saw some zombies finish their makeup and then crashed for the night. Gaming continues, LARP is small right now and Ravenloft is changing, but interesting. Class goes well. My presentation kicked ass.
Meaningful Phrase: "That shower has it out for you, I swear."
Current Location: |
My Office |
Current Mood: |
 busy |
Current Music: |
Pandora | |
|
|
Fig HouseIts my house. Yep. Every last bad colored wall, broken appliance, and small space. Every last tall grand tree, hosting space, and warm homey room. With a ton of help from the family and Kelli, we've gotten all the wall paper down without any problem (they pealed right off). Grandma, Kelli and several others scrubbed the paste off and got the holes spackled and sanded. Then we painted. The colors on the walls are now several shades lighter than the original plan, but they look wonderful. My room is a bright sagey color and Kelli's is a silver dollar color, with a tiny hint of purple. The bathrooms are getting a make over too: the hall bathroom got a fresh coat of bright white instead of the unmatching green that clashed with the emerald green tile. It helps the tiny space alot. The master bath that was yellow and pink is now peaches and cream on the walls and the tile should be tan before long. Our next move was to tackle pulled up the carpet. We called the gas company to come turn on the gas a week ago since they'd made a mistake and turned it off. During the lighting of the pilots, the alagasco guy noticed holes in the pipe. He gave me a number and sent someone to look at it. Sure enough, yep, bad pipes. So we had a friend of the family who owns a heating and air company check it out. Not only is it the pipes, but the furnace and AC are all old and in poor condition. There's leaks and holes and rust. The poor old lady was probably sicker than she should have been with all these problems! After a few busted nerves, headaches, grandpa wanting to the sue the inspector, and many phone calls, we believe Mr Corley has the paperwork to send to Old Republic Warranty to have them cover the bulk of having the pipes and units replaced. Phew. Once that's in, we can have better energy efficiency in the house and safely remove the carpet. We'll do some buffy and finishing and adding the quarter round. If there's time, energy and money left, we might replace the sink in the hall bath with something smaller. Right now, I want to just get it all over with, be in the house, have the routines and budget set, and be able to finally relax. The meds have helped a bit, thats for sure! Dog:Mia's got this dog. Its a sheppard mix of sorts she got from the pound. He's a sweet 2 year old medium long hair that badly needs to leave the apartment in which he's trapped. Tanner and I have debated on and off about taking on the dog. Wes, Mia's boyfriend, has even offered to help with the floors in exchange. While its an unneeded expense, the alternative is the shelter and we had thought about getting a dog in the next couple of years anyways. Its a bad idea, but we're softies.
The Move:
We're not sure when we're moving. The furnace really put a hold on our plans. Once we're sure about the heating and air, we can decide on the floors. If we decide to do the floors, we'll move when those are finished. We have to be out by the end of November, but I'd like to be in by Thanksgiving. We'll see. We've taken over a few knick knacks and got a kitchen table. There's a coffee table and maybe a dining room table coming too, but we're not sure where exactly everything will go yet.
The Yard:There's plans for landscaping, but right now, with all the problems, we will probably have to look at that in a year or so. In the mean time:I've been going to school. Dad's birthday went well, as did mine. Witches ball is coming up, as is Saimhain. There's gaming. Tanner unknowingly changed my character in Ravenloft tremendously. Egad. But we'll roll with it, no pun intended. Meaningful Phrase: its so creepy now. "Goodness Gracious!"
Current Location: |
My Office |
Current Mood: |
exhausted |
Current Music: |
Pandora | |
|
|
Most people have heard: I bought a house. We got all the info in, got the insurance purchased, and the backgrounds searched. We met with the attorney, the agents, Glenn from Regions, and Jim Green (the guardian of the owner) on Wednesday. We signed about a thousand papers and George and Ruth (The agents) had a few words and changes that ended up saving us all about $45. All in all, at the end of about an hour, we were handed a copy of the contract, phone numbers for the utilities (which were turned on the following morning), and a baggy full of keys for my new house. My Home. We've got walls to paint, floors to finish and a sink to replace before we move in. We've got right now until the end of November to move, but, due to bills, want out of the apartment asap. Come to find out earlier this week, my grandparents go to church with the Greens. Jim worked at Pizitz when my granddad was managing it (about the time I think my dad was working in the shoe department). Mrs. Green met us when we did the final walkthrough and told my Grandmother that she just wanted to hug me when she saw how excited I was to move there. It made me feel all the better about the house, that it was a friend’s childhood home that would become my home. That my first house is only a block away from the house I was born in. The cycle continues. I’m using the crack, I mean, Face Book a lot more. We’ve got video (on Tanner’s account) of the house. I update at least once daily. We’ve got invites and information and a lot more there. I’ll probably keep up the LJ to be able to express myself at length, to journal a little more privately. I did speak with my Doctor last week. Professor Drummonds had discussed Beta-Blockers when we talked about Phobias. My anxiety had really gotten out of control and I already had a primary appointment scheduled. So, I talked to Dr Ivker about my stress and he echoed pretty much what Drummonds said. He made this flow chart for me and we discussed all sorts of options and levels. Finally, we agreed on a beta blocker to be taken when I needed it or knew I’d be in a high stress situation (like signing for the house or doing a presentation, etc) and Trazadone to help me sleep. I haven’t used the later as I’ve been ok with the sleep once I’d relaxed due to the BB. But, now I’m still waking up with worry, so I may want to see how my system reacts to the Traz. I never thought I’d be taking these kind of meds, but the BB really helped a lot during the closing and I’ll have it on hand for other situations. Modern chemistry is a marvel. Anyways, we game, we live. I’m broke. Party and games and family this weekend for the Birthday. Work is busy and I really need a day off Monday. Phew. Meaningful Phrase: “Sodium? She probably thinks that another name for that stuff in a can in the vending machine.”
Current Location: |
My Office |
Current Mood: |
stressed |
Current Music: |
Copy Machine | |
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.1){kind=small}
christinue's journal